Overview

This is the true story of Sidney Reilly one of the most fascinating spies of the twentieth century, yet one of the most enigmatic. A master spy, a brilliant con man, a charmer, and a lovable rogue who lived on his wits and thrived on danger, killing where necessary - and unnecessary. He spoke seven languages and was rumoured to possess eleven passports and a wife to go with each. A towering figure in the history of British espionage and one of Fleming’s models for James Bond, Sidney Reilly was born in Russia in 1873. To his employers, the British Secret Service, his background was a mystery, yet his immense charisma took him into the epicentre of the British establishment. In 1917 he infiltrated the German General Staff and a year later was involved in the near overthrow of the Bolsheviks. The details of his death in the mid 1920s remain opaque, with sightings being claimed well into World War Two. Originally published in 1967, Reilly Ace of Spies became a BAFTA winning, and Golden Globe nominated, classic TV series in the early 80s starring Sam Neil. This is the first new edition in 30 years, with an introduction by Dugald Bruce Lockhart, great-nephew of the original author and author of The Lizard.

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9781739966089

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Reviews

‘An absorbing and suspenseful mystery story’. Publishers Weekly. ‘So bizarre as to seem incredible’ Daily Telegraph. ‘The astonishing story of Sidney Reilly, perhaps the most flamboyant and mysterious British spy of all times’ Sunday Telegraph

'An absorbing and suspenseful mystery story'. Publishers Weekly. 'So bizarre as to seem incredible' Daily Telegraph. 'The astonishing story of Sidney Reilly, perhaps the most flamboyant and mysterious British spy of all times' Sunday Telegraph

Author Information

Robin Bruce Lockhart – whose father RH Bruce Lockhart was also a master spy and had worked with Reilly during the Russian revolution – recounts Reilly’s astonishing life. Written in a vivid, engaging style, this is surely one of the most thrilling life stories in history. Reilly: Ace of Spies was adapted into a BAFTA-winning television series in 1983, starring Sam Neill as Reilly and Ian Charleson as RH Bruce Lockhart. Originally published in 1967, this edition has a foreword by Dugald Bruce Lockhart, the author’s great-nephew. Dugald is a successful actor and author of The Lizard, published to acclaim in 2020.

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